Device for holding and releasing an object, and related methods

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for holding and releasing an object, comprising a main body comprising a housing to at least partially accommodate said object and an opening to enable at least a portion of the object to be removed, a lid that can be moved from a closed position preventing access to said opening and an open position enabling access to said opening, and a stop mechanism designed such that it can be moved to different positions relative to the main body towards the opening of said main body, but blocked in the other direction, to enable the stop mechanism to be brought into contact with or close to the object while preventing any recoil of the stop mechanism. The invention also relates to a corresponding production method and release methods.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/847,695, filed May 14, 2019, and FrenchApplication No. FR 19 05009, filed May 14, 2019, the contents of each ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a device for holding anobject such as a medical implant and for releasing said object from saiddevice.

PRIOR ART

Devices for holding objects, which are also referred to as “grippers”,are known in the prior art, in particular from international patentapplication WO2019030451A2 and from the French patent application filedunder number FR1854199 but not yet published as of the filing date ofthis patent application.

The device disclosed in French patent FR1854199 enables in particularthe use of a hooking assembly to hold a screw-type implant with a headthat is adapted so as to abut the hooking assembly to prevent theimplant from falling to the bottom of the body of the device.

However, for implants that have no head adapted so as to abut theassembly, there is a risk that the implant may slide to the bottom ofthe body of the device.

It is thus desirable to be able to propose another device for holding anobject wherein the object can be reliably secured in a given position,while enabling it to be easily released from the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, a device for holding and releasing an object is proposedherein, said device comprising a main body with a housing foraccommodating, at least partially, said object, and an opening enablingat least a portion of said object to be extracted, characterized in thatsaid device for holding and releasing the object also comprises:

-   -   an attached lid that can be moved from a closed position        preventing access to said opening and an open position enabling        access to said opening,    -   a stop mechanism designed such that it can be moved to different        positions relative to the main body towards the opening of said        main body, but blocked in the other direction, to enable the        stop mechanism to be brought into contact with or close to the        object while preventing any recoil of the stop mechanism.

The device for holding and releasing an object also provides a lowerstop vis-a-vis the object, with the position of this lower stop beingadjustable so as to adapt to the length of the object while preventingany recoil of said lower stop to prevent the object from falling intothe main body, which would make it difficult to extract.

When assembling the device, i.e. when placing the object in the device,at least portion of the object is inserted into the body through theopening in the body which is thus used as a passage for inserting theobject into the body. Another part of the object, for example a secondpiece that is separate from a first piece to be inserted into the bodythrough the opening in the body, can be accommodated in part in the stopmechanism.

Access to the opening in the main body from outside the body is thenblocked or prevented by moving the lid to the closed position. Moreover,prior to moving the lid to the closed position, a sealing element can beapplied to the body around the opening of said body.

When the object has been inserted into the main body, the stop mechanismis then moved up towards the object to press said object up against thelid, with the stop mechanism forming a lower stop vis-a-vis the object.

The device can also include one or more of the following characteristicsused in any technically permissible combination.

According to a particular characteristic, the device comprises a pinionsystem designed to enable said movement of the stop mechanism towardsthe opening of said main body and block it in the reverse direction.

According to a particular characteristic, the stop mechanism is designedsuch that it can be moved respective to the main body over a lengthenabling at least a portion of the object to be pushed out of the mainbody.

According to a particular characteristic, the stop mechanism comprises ahousing that can accommodate a portion of the object.

This stop mechanism housing allows in particular, by enclosing saidportion of the object, to maintain the axial direction of said portionof the object.

According to a particular characteristic, the housing comprises a ringthrough which at least a portion of the object is able to extend, saidring being made of a different material from that of the main body.

This allows the object to be in contact with a material that iscompatible with its own material, for example titanium, without havingto make the entire main body of the device in this material, which canbe expensive.

According to a particular aspect, the ring has an inner diameter that isslightly greater than the outer diameter of the object that passesthrough the ring, to act as an axial guide without any jamming of theobject.

Thus, it can be foreseen that when the lid is in the open position andif there is no sealing element or if the sealing element has beenremoved from the opening in the body, at least the portion of the objectthat passes through the ring can be easily extracted from the body bytipping the opening in the body downwards.

According to a particular aspect, the ring extends back from the upperend of the main body. Advantageously, said upper end of the main bodydelineates a passage that can be sealed.

According to a particular aspect, the object housing comprises a portionbetween the ring and the stop mechanism that remains open onto theinside of the main body.

According to a particular aspect, the object housing comprises a valancethat extends at least underneath the ring, and the stop mechanismcomprises an end portion forming a piston that can expand in an airtightmanner inside the valance.

The stop mechanism thus comprises a portion forming a piston designed tobe moved inside the valance, in an airtight manner respective to thevalance, towards the opening in the main body, with no possible recoil.

According to a particular aspect, the valance contains a fluid,preferably a liquid, said object being housed in a chamber defined atleast by said valance and said ring, said chamber being closed at itslower end by the piston of the stop mechanism and at its upper end bythe sealing element.

According to a particular aspect, the opening in the main body is sealedby a removable sealing system.

According to a particular aspect, the sealing system is coupled to thelid such that moving the lid from the closed position to the openposition leads to the removal of the sealing system.

According to a particular aspect, the device comprises a stabilizingsystem designed to stabilize the lid in the open position and in theclosed position.

According to a particular aspect, the lid is designed to remain coupledto the main body in the open position, forming a stand that enables themain body to be placed on a surface and supported by this stand, withthe opening of said main body being elevated relative to said surface.

According to a particular aspect, the lid comprises a guide pin that cancome into contact with one end of the object when the lid is in theclosed position.

According to a particular aspect, said device comprises said object,said object being a medical object.

According to a particular aspect, said object comprises two separatepieces.

According to a particular aspect, said object is a dental object, saidobject comprising an implant screw and a healing cap.

In particular, the implant screw has the shape of an elongated body witha hollow end, but has no head that is wider than the diameter of thescrew body.

The invention also relates to a method of assembling a device forholding and releasing an object, said device being as disclosed above,with said method comprising the following steps:

-   -   when the lid is in the open position, at least a portion of the        object is inserted into the main body through the opening in        said main body;    -   the stop mechanism is moved towards the opening of said main        body, to prevent or restrict the movement of the object within        the main body, with any recoil of the stop mechanism being        prevented.

According to a particular aspect, said at least one portion of theobject inserted into the main body through the opening being a firstpiece, said method comprises, prior to the step of moving the stopmechanism, a step wherein a second piece is inserted into the stopmechanism, with said step of moving the stop mechanism towards theopening of said main body bringing said second piece into contact withor close to the first piece, with any recoil of the stop mechanism beingprevented. The second piece can be inserted before the first piece andinversely.

According to a particular aspect, said method comprises the step whereina chamber of the main body wherein at least a portion of said object ishoused is filled with fluid or with liquid.

According to a particular aspect, said method comprises a step whereinthe opening of the main body is sealed.

According to a particular aspect, said method comprises a step whereinthe lid is closed before or after moving the stop mechanism.

The invention also relates to a method of releasing an object held in adevice as disclosed above, with said method comprising the followingsteps:

-   -   moving the lid to the open position;    -   extracting at least a portion of the object through the opening        in the main body using a tool that cooperates with said at least        one portion of the object.

According to a particular aspect, said method comprises the steps of:

-   -   pressing the stop mechanism towards the opening in the main body        to bring another portion of the object close to the opening in        the main body; and    -   extracting said other portion of the object through the opening        in the main body using a tool that cooperates with said other        portion of the object.

The invention also relates to a method of releasing an object held in adevice as disclosed above, with said method comprising the followingsteps:

-   -   moving the lid to the open position;    -   pressing the stop mechanism to push a portion of the object        through the opening in the main body;    -   extracting said portion of the object that is protruding from        the opening of the main body;    -   extracting another portion of the object through the opening in        the main body using a tool that cooperates with said other        portion of the object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Characteristics and advantages of the invention will also be highlightedin the following description, which is purely illustrative andnon-limiting and which must be read in relation to the appendeddrawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of a device according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inner side of the slider of thedevice shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the body of the device shown in FIG. 1 ,showing the front panel of the body;

FIG. 4 is the same drawing in FIG. 1 , showing an axial cross-cut viewof the upper part of the body of the device;

FIG. 5 is the same drawing in FIG. 1 , showing an axial cross-cut viewof the upper part of the slider;

FIG. 6 is the same drawing in FIG. 1 , showing a tearaway view of aportion of the slider that reveals the sliding mechanism of the slideron the body of the device;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1 , with thelid open and with the slider in the upper position such that the implantscrew is partially protruding from the opening in the device;

FIG. 8 is a view of the lid of a device according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 9 is the same drawing in FIG. 8 , showing a cross-cut view of theupper part of the body of the device and of the upper part of theslider;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the top of the device shown in FIG. 9 ,with the implant removed and the healing cap still inside the upper partof the slider;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the back of the device according to anembodiment according to the invention, wherein a portion of the implantand of the healing cap can be seen through the window built into theback of the device;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a device according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a device that is similar or identicalto that shown in FIG. 12 , with the lid in the process of being opened.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 13 , showing across-cut view of the upper part of the body of the device, with thesealing element on the opening of the body not shown, the slider shownin the lower position and equipped at its upper end with an elementforming a piston that extends into the tubular housing;

FIG. 15 is a view of the device shown in FIG. 14 , with the lid open andthe slider raised, such that the implant is pushed by the slider pistonand protrudes from the ring in the upper part of the body;

FIG. 16 is a partial view of a slider according to another embodimentaccording to the invention, with the upper end of the slider forming apiston shown in an axial cross-cut;

FIG. 17 is a partial view of a slider according to another embodimentaccording to the invention, with the upper end of the slider forming apiston shown in an axial cross-cut;

FIG. 18 is a partial view of a slider according to another embodimentaccording to the invention, with the upper end of the slider forming apiston shown in an axial cross-cut;

FIG. 19 is a side view of a device according to an embodiment of theinvention showing the lid in the open position with the implant beingremoved from the body of the device using an appropriate grasping tool;

FIG. 20 is a side view of a device according to an embodiment of theinvention showing the lid in the open position with the implant housedin the body of the device with one end protruding slightly through thering; and

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a device according to an embodiment ofthe invention, with the lid in the open position and the slider pushedto the upper position to bring the healing cap up near the opening ofthe body, with a tool being inserted through the ring to grasp thehealing cap and extract it from the body of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventive concept is described in more detail hereafter, withreference to the attached drawings, wherein embodiments of the inventiveconcept are shown. In the drawings, the sizes and relative sizes of theelements may be exaggerated to make them easier to see. Like numbersrefer to like elements in all of the drawings. However, this inventiveconcept can be implemented in many different forms and should not beinterpreted as being limited to the embodiments described herein.Rather, these embodiments are proposed in order to provide a completedescription and convey the extent of the inventive concept to thoseskilled in the art. For the sake of simplification, the followingembodiments are examined in relation to the terminology and structure ofa device for holding and releasing an object such as a medical implant.

With reference to the illustrations, we have represented a device 1 forholding and releasing an object. In the examples shown in theillustrations, said object is a medical object, in particular a dentalobject, but may be another type of object.

As explained hereafter through various means of embodiment of thedevice, said object may comprise one or more parts, for example amedical implant and an accessory part. The device 1 can also be called a“gripper”. Such a device 1 can be used by an operator to manipulate anobject by means of the device in appropriate conditions of asepsis andin particular using a tool that has been adapted to extract the object.

The device 1 can be contained in a package or double packaging asdescribed in international application WO2014188142, the content ofwhich is incorporated as a reference into the present application, or ininternational application WO2018078242, the content of which isincorporated as a reference into the present application.

The device 1 comprises a main body 10 designed to enable at least aportion of said object to be accommodated, and an attached lid 20 thatcan be moved from a closed position wherein it prevents said object frombeing removed from the body to an open position wherein it enables saidobject to be removed or allows said object to be accessed to extract itfrom the body 10. According to a particular aspect, the open positionalso enables at least a portion of said object to be reinserted into thebody 10.

The body 10 of the device 1 also comprises an opening through which theobject may be removed when the lid is open.

The device 1 also comprises a stop mechanism 3 that allows the objectinserted into the body of the device to be brought up against the lowerstop, in particular so that it does not fall to the bottom of the body10 of the device 1.

The device 1 is configured to enable the stop mechanism 3 to be movedtowards the object (i.e. towards the opening in the body), and toprevent the stop mechanism 3 from moving away from the object (i.e. toprevent the stop mechanism 3 from recoiling from the opening in thebody).

In the examples shown in the illustrations, the stop mechanism 3 isformed by a slider 3. The slider 3 can be moved along the body 10 tocome into contact with the object. It can be foreseen that the slider 3merely comes into contact with the object, but it can also be foreseen,as in the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 , that a portion of this slidercomprises a housing enabling the lower portion of the object to beaccommodated. The slider 3 enables contact with the object, inparticular to hold the object in place in the body and prevent it fromfalling to the bottom of the body. The slider 3 thus forms a lower stopthat can be repositioned upwards, i.e. towards the opening of the body,to adjust to the length of the object inserted into the body of thedevice.

According to a particular aspect, the slider 3 can be moved over alength that enables the operator to push the object partially outside ofthe body 10 by moving the slider 3 towards the object when the lid 20 isin the open position. As explained hereafter, this feature isparticularly useful if the object comprises two pieces of which one issupported by the slider 3. After having removed the first piece throughthe opening, the second piece that was previously positioned between theslider and the opening in the body may be too far from the opening inthe body to be easily grasped, particularly if the grasping tool has aflange that prevents it from being inserted deeply into the body of thedevice or that may hinder the removal of the tool. Being able to raisethe slider further and thus bring the second piece up to the opening inthe body makes removal easier.

According to a particular aspect, moving the slider 3 towards theopening in the body 10 is restricted by a flange on the body 10 that isbuilt into the upper part of said body 10.

Object Housed in the Body of the Device

As recalled above and explained hereafter through the variousembodiments, said object can comprise several pieces, for example adental implant and a healing cap.

It can be foreseen that the object comprises at least one implant screw7 (dental implant), i.e. an elongated, threaded body, that passesthrough a ring 47 as explained hereafter, and optionally comprises anadditional piece 8, such as a healing cap, preferably partially housedin the slider, which extends between the implant screw 7 and the slider3. The dental implant 7 has the shape of a threaded body with the upperend positioned adjacent to the opening in the body and an inner shapeadapted to cooperate with a corresponding grasping tool 9.

In the embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 11 , the object thus comprises a dentalimplant 7 and a healing cap 8.

In the examples in FIGS. 12 to 15 , only the implant 7 is shown. It canbe foreseen that the implant 7 is alone or in association with a healingcap as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 .

Advantageously, in these embodiments in FIGS. 12 to 15 , the dentalimplant 7 is bathed in a fluid, preferably a liquid, contained in achamber formed by a valance 173 (for example formed by a tube) in theupper part of the body 10 of the device. The upper part of the body 10,or upper part of the slider 3, is considered to be the part of the body10 or the part of the slider 3 that is located next to the lid 20 whenthe latter is in the closed position.

Before the operator opens the lid 20 or pushes the slider 3, the lowerend of the valence 173 is closed by the piston 37 of the slider 3 andthe upper end of the valence 173 is closed by a sealing element 273,such as a peelable strip or sheet, which can include a thermo adhesive,for example, made of a synthetic, non-woven, polyethylene fibermaterial, usually sold under the registered brand name TYVEK. Thesealing element 273 can also be made of aluminum. Advantageously, in theinitial state, i.e. when the lid 20 is in the closed position and beforemoving the implant 7 towards an opening, said implant 7 does notprotrude from the upper end of the body 10 towards the outside of thebody, but is positioned just below this level of the end of the bodythat is to be covered by the sealing element.

As explained hereafter, the device 1 wherein the implant screw 7, andoptionally the healing cap 8, is housed, also enables the release of theimplant screw 7, which can then be extracted from the device, forexample using an appropriate tool 9, such as a screwdriver, comprising atip that can fit into the head of the implant screw 7, to couple theimplant screw 7 to the tool 9.

As explained hereafter, the implant screw 7 can be repositioned in itshousing. In particular if the operator, such as a surgeon, needs to setthe implant aside to carry out another task.

Main Body

The main body 10 comprises an opening for removal. This opening islocated at one end, referred to as the upper end, of said main body 10to allow the implant screw 7 and the healing cap 8 to be removed alongan exit axis A1. As explained hereafter, this removal passage is alsoused to insert the implant 7 into the body of the device.

The passage by which the implant 7 is inserted into the body 10 and bywhich it may be removed from the body 10 can be considered as a throughpassage that opens into the body 10 facing the slider 3, and whose lowerpart can, in some embodiments, be closed by said slider 3, in particularif the passage comprises a valance 173 as in the embodiments shown inFIGS. 12 to 15 and if this valance forms a chamber with the slider 3wherein the implant 7 bathes.

As recalled above, the other end of the chamber that holds the implant 7is preferably closed by an element such as a sealing strip or sheet,which can be removed at the same time as or after the lid 20 is opened.

In the example shown in the illustrations, the main body 10 has anelongated shape that follows the axis A1 by which the implant 7 and thehealing cap 8 are removed.

The main body 10 comprises a bottom wall 100. Advantageously, the exitaxis A1 extends between the bottom wall 100 and the open front face ofsaid body 10 which is opposite said bottom wall 100.

The bottom wall 100 comprises an inner face 101 which has ribs 13 alongwhich the slider 3 disclosed hereafter is designed to slide towards theupper part 17 of the body 10.

As seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 11 , a window 103 can be built into thebottom wall 100 to make it possible to see if the object is present fromthe outer face 102 of said bottom wall 100. The implant 7 extends fromthe inner side of the bottom wall facing said window. It can be foreseenthat there is no window 103.

Advantageously, the body of the device and/or the lid and/or the slider,is or are transparent or translucid.

The body 10 of the device comprises a peripheral wall 104 that extendstransversally, preferably orthogonally, to the bottom wall 101, by whichthe operator can grasp the body of the device. Advantageously, theopposite lateral sides of said body 10 each comprise a supplementarycurved portion to make it easy for the operator to grasp said body ofthe device.

Slider Sliding System Respective to the Body

As indicated above, the device 1 for holding and releasing an implantcomprises a sliding system for the slider 3 relative to the body 10 ofthe device 1.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 , the sliding system comprises two parallelrails 13, preferably arranged on the bottom wall 100 on the inner sideof the body. To this end, the stop mechanism 3 has grooves 31 (or slots)that fit said rails. Of course, the rails 13 (ribs) can be borne by theslider 3 and the grooves or slots can be incorporated into the body 10.

In the example shown in the illustrations, the body 10 has a notchingsystem, such as a rack and pinion system, designed to enable themovement of the slider 3 towards the upper end of the body 10 where theobject is located, but preventing any recoil of the slider 3. In theexample shown in the illustrations, the rack and pinion systemcomprises, for each rib 13, a rack 132 that fits said rib 13.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 6 , a portion of the slider 3 has beenindented in the middle area to show the sliding system between theslider 3 and the body 10 of the device 1.

The slider 3 comprises teeth 32 that can cooperate with the teeth in therack and pinion system. The teeth in the rack and pinion system 132 ofthe body 10 and the teeth 32 of the slider 3 are angled in such a way asto allow the slider 3 to move only towards the upper end of the body ofthe device.

Upper Part of the Body of the Device

According to certain embodiments, the upper part 17 of the body 10 ofthe device 1 wherein the entrance/opening for the implant 7 is locatedcomprises a ring 47 (also called a flange) that turns back into acorresponding housing built into the upper part 17 of the body 10 of thedevice 1.

FIG. 4 shows an axial cross-cut of the upper part 17 of the body of thedevice, which reveals the system for pivoting the lid relative to thebody, as well as the ring 47.

The ring 47 is made of a different material to that of the body of thedevice 1. Advantageously, the ring 47 is made of a material in the samefamily as or that is identical to that used for the implant 7.Advantageously, the implant 7 and the piece 8 are also made of amaterial in the same family or an identical family. Thus it can beforeseen that the body 10 of the device is made of plastic while thering 47 is made of titanium, since the implant 7 is made of titanium.

Such a ring enables the implant to be guided while preventing anycontact between the implant and a material that would not be compatiblewith it.

In the examples shown in the illustrations, the upper part 17 comprisesin particular a seat 171 designed to hold the ring 47. A wall 170 atleast partially encloses the seat 171 to delineate the receiving seat ofthe ring 47. The ring 47 is preferably pressed into its correspondingreceiving housing on the body 10.

The seat 171 comprises a through passage aligned with the throughpassage of the ring 47. The implant 7 can pass through the ring 47 andthrough the through passage of the seat 171.

In other words, the body 10 also comprises a housing that can hold atleast a portion of the implant 7. The through passages of the ring 47and the seat 171 form a portion of this housing through which theimplant 7 can be inserted into and removed from the body 10.

Preferentially, the inner diameter of the ring 47, which is slightlygreater than the outer diameter of the implant, is slightly smaller thanthat of the seat 171 (and of the valance 173 when it is present asexplained hereafter) to prevent any risk of contact between the implant7 and the material in the body of the device.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 , and when the lid 20 is inthe closed position, a portion of the implant 7 extends below thereceiving seat 171 of the ring 47 and can be seen by an operator lookingat the front of the body, in particular if the front face of the body(opposite the bottom wall) is open. The implant 7 is in contact with thepiece 8 that is partially held in the upper part of the slider 3.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 12 to 15 , and when the lid 20 is inthe closed position, the portion of the implant 7 extending below thereceiving seat of the ring 47 is enclosed by the valance 173 insidewhich the upper end of the slider 3 is engaged, forming a piston.

The upper part 17 of the body 10 thus comprises, by means of the ring 47and the through passage of the seat 171, an opening, referred to as theinsertion/release opening of the implant 7 (whose upper portion can besealed pending the opening of the lid). As recalled above, this openingalso allows the screw 8 to be removed and the slider 3 can be moved, ifnecessary, to bring the screw 8 closer to the exit opening.

The insertion/release axis or the exit axis A1 of the implant 7corresponds, in the example shown in the illustrations, to thelongitudinal axis of the body 10 of the device.

In other words, when the operator is holding the device facing him, i.e.with the lid 20 pivoted towards him, the insertion/release opening ofthe body of the device is located substantially on the side of theoperator.

Having one end of the object extending inside the body and the other endcovered by the lid when said lid is in the closed position enables theobject to be properly held and protected.

Lid

In the examples shown in the illustrations, the lid 20 is in the generalshape of an upside-down “U”.

The lid 20 thus comprises two arms 21 connected by a connecting part 22that can be grasped by the operator. The lid 20 is coupled to the body10 by its arms 21.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 8 and 3 , each arm 21 comprises anelement 211, for example a male and female element in the form ofcrosspieces, that can cooperate with a corresponding female element 121on the body 10 to enable the lid 20 to be pivoted relative to the body10.

The lid 20 is pivoted around an axis A2 that is orthogonal to the axisA1 along which the object is removed from the body 10. In particular inthe example shown in the illustrations, the pivot axis A2 is parallel tothe median plane of the body (or to the median sliding plane of theslider 3).

The pivoting elements 211, 121 built into the lid 20 and the body 10allow the lid 20 to be pivoted respective to the body 10, to either sideof the exit axis A1. In other words, the lid 20 can be pivoted to eitherside of the median plane of the body 10 that passes through this exitaxis A1.

The connecting part 22 of the lid 20 comprises an inner edge which, whenthe lid 20 is in the closed position, is positioned facing the exitopening 107 of the body 10. As shown more particularly in FIG. 10 andFIG. 20 , said inner edge of the lid 20 has a surface 27 that extendstowards said opening, preferably with a convex curve, for example in theshape of a half-sphere, in order to fit into the hollow end of theimplant 7 and thus ensure that the implant is axially centered in theopening.

System for Setting the Lid Positions

The open and closed positions of the lid 20 are preset stable positions(discretes). In other words, the operator must apply a force beyond athreshold value in order to cause the lid 20 to pivot from one positionto another.

When in the closed position, the lid 20 prevents or hinders any accessto the object by the operator in order to prevent any unintentionalremoval or deterioration of the object.

A portion of the mechanism enabling pivoting between the lid 20 and thebody 10 is built into the upper part 17 of the body 10 of the device. Inparticular, in the example shown in the illustrations, said pivotingmechanism is located near the receiving seat 171 and comprises twoelements 112 placed on either side of said seat 171 on the upper lateraledges of said body 10.

In the example shown in the illustrations, the pivoting mechanismcomprises a position setting system allowing the lid 20 to be pivotedinto positions wherein it is secured (kept stable), preferably also whenthe lid 20 is pivoted to either side.

The lid 20 position setting system also offers a setting systemcorresponding to the closed position of the lid 20, which enables thelid 20 to be kept in this closed position, as long as the operator doesnot force the lid 20 into another set position corresponding to an openposition of the lid, in either direction.

These stabilized positions are obtained in the examples shown in theillustrations by at least one of the arms of the crosspieces whichcomprises a tooth 211A (seen in FIG. 8 ) that can fit into the grooves121A of an element 121 built into the body 10 (see FIG. 3 ), in functionof the angular position of the lid 20 respective to the body 10. To thisend, the element 121 comprises three recesses that are angularly spacedrespective to each other according to the desired stable positions ofclosure, opening to one side and opening to the other side.

Thus, by turning the lid 20 relative to the body 10, the lid 20 is movedto a new stable position by fitting the tooth 121A on each crosspiece121 into one of the recesses 122A of the corresponding element 121 onthe body 10.

The pivoting and setting elements 211, 121 can be positionedindiscriminately on the lid 20 and the body 10. Thus, in the examples inthe illustrations, the crosspieces are moved by the arms 21 of the lid20 while the corresponding housings of these crosspieces are built intothe body 10. But positioning the crosspieces on the body and thecorresponding housings on the arms of the lid can also be foreseen.

The connecting part 22 of the lid 20 comprises a flat portion that canbear an inscription such as a logo, allowing the lid to be customized.

The operator can thus pivot the lid 20 into a preset, stable, openposition, preferably either to one or the other side of the device. Thelid 20 thus pivoted forms a base that can be used to set the device on asurface, such as a table, so that the body of the device is tiltedrespective to the surface on which it is set, as shown in FIG. 19 .Advantageously, the body of the device is tilted respective to thesurface on which it is set, at an angle of about 30°. It should beunderstood that this angle depends on the length of the body and thepreset stable positions into which the lid 20 can be pivoted respectiveto the body 10 of the device. Preferentially, when in the open position,the lid forms an angle of 90° relative to the body 10.

The upper part 17 of the body 10 through which the implant 7 is to beremoved is thus elevated away from the surface on which the device isset.

Slider

As recalled above, the slider's mobility enables the slider's positionto be adjusted to the position and length of the object formed by theset of pieces 7, 8 such that the pieces 7 and 8 can be brought intocontact with each other by raising the slider until the upper piece 7comes into contact with the lid 20 (if there is no sealing elementbetween the lid and the opening in the body).

The setting that prevents the slider from recoiling makes it possible toensure that object 7, 8 is secured between the slider 3 and the lid 20as long as the latter has not been moved to an open position, whichprevents any or all of the object from falling into the bottom of thebody 10 or into an area of the body 10 that is not intended toaccommodate the object.

When raised up against the pieces 7, 8, the slider 3 forms a lower stopwhile the lid (or an intermediate sealing element as describedhereafter) forms an upper stop.

When the lid is in the open position, the slider 3 also allows theobject formed by the set of pieces 7, 8 to be pushed along the axis A1in such a way as to bring the end of the piece 8, which is in contactwith the slider 3, up to the upper part 17 of the body, so that theimplant screw 7 and the healing cap 8 can be removed from the body 10.

In this exit position of the slider 3 and when the piece 7 has beenremoved, the piece 8 of the object is close to and facing the throughpassage of the ring 47, which enables the operator to grasp the piece 8using a tool 9′ by inserting said tool through 47.

According to some embodiments, the lid 20, the body 10 and the slider 3are designed such that the length of the implant, i.e. at least itsends, can be seen. The length of the implant can thus be seen by theoperator that looks at the front of the device, i.e., on the sliderside, in the normal grasping position of the device.

The slider comprises a zone 39 for placing a finger, also referred to asa fingerhold, for example with surface areas that are recessed orraised, such as ribs or ridges, which makes it easier for the operatorto slide the slider 3.

Upper Portion of the Slider

The slider 3 comprises an upper portion 33 that corresponds to the endportion of the slider 3 that is facing the opening 107 of the body 10.

As can be seen more particularly in FIG. 2 and FIG. 9 , the upperportion 33 comprises a receiving portion 38 enabling a portion of thepiece 8 to be accommodated.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 , the receiving portion 38 is inthe shape of a funnel and the end of this piece 8 opposite the implantis positioned facing and/or in contact with a portion 338 of the sliderwhich forms the lower stop for the piece 8. The portion 338 thus enablesthe piece 8 to be stopped so as to restrict or control its insertioninto the slider 3 to keep a portion of the piece 8 extended outside theslider, in particular outside of the funnel 38 so that it comes intocontact with the piece 7.

Examples of Use of the Embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 11

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 , during the assembly of thedevice with the insertion of the implant screw 7 and the healing cap 8into the body of the device, the healing screw 8 can be inserted intothe corresponding housing 38 of the slider 3, without having to pass itthrough the ring 47, for example by inserting it from the open side ofthe body of the device in the upper end of the slider 3, which is thenin the lower position, i.e. near the lower part of the body 10.

Then the implant screw 7 can be inserted into the upper part of the body10 through the corresponding exit opening 107 (see FIG. 3 ), in aposition such that upper end of the screw is positioned near the upperend of the body, and wherein the ring 47 encloses said implant screw(i.e., the implant screw does not fully extend below the ring).

The lid 20 can be closed to form an upper stop for the implant screw 7.The implant screw 7 and the healing cap 8 are then placed in contactwith each other by raising the slider 3 towards the implant screw 7,which also blocks the implant screw 7 against the lid 20.

When removing the implant 7, the implant 7 is extracted without removingthe healing cap 8. As shown in FIG. 10 , the healing cap 8 remainssupported by the portion of the end 33 of the slider 3, and can beextracted from the body when the implant screw 7 has been removed. Inother words, in the examples shown in the illustrations, there is noparticular mechanical coupling between the implant screw 7 and thehealing cap 8.

Thus, a device corresponding to that shown for example in FIG. 1 isobtained.

When the operator wishes to remove the pieces 7, 8 from the device 1, hecan then open the lid 20 to access the implant 7 through the opening inthe body 10, removing the implant 7 for example using the tool 9 that isadapted to couple with the implant, for example by coupling a male endof the tool to a hollow end of the implant 7.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 9 , the operator can also push the slider 3 to pushthe implant 7 out and grasp it. It should be noted that removing theimplant 7 by pushing the slider 3 enables the implant to be grasped,either manually or with an appropriate tool, by its outer edge.

As shown in FIG. 10 , pushing the slider 3 enables the piece 8 to bebrought up to the opening of the body 10. In particular, the operatorcan then pass an appropriate tool 9′ through the ring 47 to retrieve thepiece 8 and remove it from the slider and the body.

It should be noted that pushing the slider 3 to the upper position makesit easy to extract the healing cap because otherwise the 90° flange ofthe tool 9′ could catch against the ring 47 or the seat 171 of the ringwhen attempting to bring the tool 9′ back out if it is inserted toodeeply into the body 10 of the device 1.

Examples of Use of the Embodiments in FIGS. 12 to 15

In the examples in FIGS. 12 to 15 , the piston 37 of the slider 3 isinserted into the lower part of the valance 173. It can be foreseen thatthe piston also has an appropriate shape, such as the shape of the upperpart 33 with the funnel 38 and the lower stop mechanism 338 in theembodiment shown in FIG. 2 , so as to accommodate a piece such as thepiece 8 shown in the embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 11 , while retaining itsfunction as a piston, i.e., with an outer edge adapted to slidingtightly into the valance 173.

In particular, it can be foreseen as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 , that thetightness is ensured by an outer element formed by a peripheral sectionof the edge of the piston head with semi-circular cross-section 371(FIG. 16 ), a quarter-round section 371′ (with a curve turned to theupper inside) (FIG. 17 ) or formed by a seal 6 (FIG. 18 ), preferablywith a circular cross-section, set into the peripheral slot built intothe edge of the piston head.

An axial groove or slot can be built into the ring to make it easy toremove the air when pushing the piston 37 into the valance 173.

The implant 7 is inserted into the valance 173 via the opening in thebody 10 through the ring 47. Advantageously, a portion of the implantremains enclosed by the ring 47.

According to a particular aspect, the chamber delineated at least by thevalence 173 and the piston 37 is filled with liquid, for example asodium chloride solution allowing a highly hydrophilic condition to bepreserved over the entire implant surface, or a surfactant enabling anactive surface state to be maintained and not changed in contact withair, or a bone growth boosting agent, such as a BMP (Bone MorphogeneticProtein), or a disinfecting agent/preventive bactericide (silver ionsolution or other), wherein the implant 7 bathes. The opening in thebody 10 is in this case sealed to retain the liquid and the lid can beturned to the closed position facing the opening.

The operator that wishes to remove the implant 7 and the piece 8 whenpresent, can then open the lid and, preferably simultaneously, removethe sealing element 273, to access the screw. The implant 7 (and thepiece 8 if present) can then be removed as previously explained using anappropriate tool 9, with or without pushing on the slider 3.

Pushing on the slider 3 also pushes out the liquid wherein the implantis bathed, like a syringe wherein the plunger would be the piston 37.

Preferentially, the sealing element 273 used is attached to the lid 20,so that when the lid 20 is opened the sealing element 273 is removedfrom the opening in the body of the device. Thus the illustration of thelid being opened in FIG. 12 reveals the upper end of the implant 7 whichis enclosed in the ring 47 and the valance 173, with the sealing element273 having been broken or removed from the upper end of the implanthousing relative to the body 10, when the lid 20 was being opened.

As an alternative, it can be foreseen that the sealing element is notconnected to the lid and is to be pulled off manually to free theopening 10 and thus open the chamber containing the implant 7.

Throughout the specification, reference to “an embodiment” means thatany particular function, structure, or characteristic described inrelation to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of thepresent invention. Thus, the appearance of the expression “in anembodiment” in various places throughout the specification does notnecessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, the particularfunctions, structures or characteristics can be combined in anyappropriate way in one or more embodiments.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

In addition, the term “comprising” does not exclude other elements orsteps. Moreover, the characteristics or steps that have been describedwith reference to one of the embodiments described above can also beused in combination with other characteristics or steps in otherembodiments described above.

1. A device for holding and releasing an object, said device comprising: a main body with a housing for at least partially accommodating an object; an opening that allows at least a portion of said object to be extracted from the main body; a lid attached to the main body that can be moved from a closed position preventing access to said opening and an open position providing access to said opening; and a stop mechanism designed such that the stop mechanism can be moved to different positions relative to the main body towards the opening of said main body, but blocked in the other direction, to enable the stop mechanism to be brought into contact with or close to the object while preventing any recoil of the stop mechanism.
 2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a pinion system configured to enable said movement of the stop mechanism towards the opening of said main body and block it in the reverse direction.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the stop mechanism is configured such that it can be moved respective to the main body over a length enabling at least a portion of the object to be pushed out of the main body.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the stop mechanism comprises a housing that can accommodate a portion of the object.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the main body comprises a ring through which at least a portion of the object is able to extend, said ring being made of a different material from that of the main body.
 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the housing of the main body comprises a portion between the ring and the stop mechanism that remains open into the interior of the main body.
 7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the housing of the object comprises a valance that extends at least underneath the ring, and the stop mechanism comprises an end portion forming a piston that can expand in an airtight manner inside the valance.
 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the valence contains a fluid, preferably a liquid, said object being housed in a chamber defined at least by said valence and said ring, said chamber being closed at its lower end by the piston of the stop mechanism and at its upper end by the sealing element.
 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the main body is sealed by a peelable sealing system.
 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the sealing system is coupled to the lid such that moving the lid from the closed position to the open position leads to the removal of the sealing system.
 11. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a stabilizing system is configured to stabilize the lid in an open position and in a closed position.
 12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the lid is designed to remain coupled to the main body, in the open position, forming a stand that enables the main body to be placed on a surface and supported by this stand, with the opening of said main body being elevated relative to said surface.
 13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a guide pin that can come into contact with one end of the object when the lid is in the closed position.
 14. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises said object, said object being a medical object.
 15. The device according to claim 14, wherein said object comprises two separate pieces.
 16. The device according to claim 15, wherein said object is a dental object, said object comprising an implant screw and a healing cap.
 17. A method for assembling a device for holding and releasing an object according to claim 1, said method comprising the following steps: inserting at least a portion of a medical object into the main body through the opening in said main body when the lid is in the open position; and moving the stop mechanism towards the opening of said main body to prevent or restrict the movement of the object within the main body, with any recoil of the stop mechanism being prevented.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said at least one portion of the object inserted into the main body through the opening is a first piece.
 19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising, prior to the step of moving the stop mechanism, inserting a second piece of the object into the stop mechanism, wherein said step of moving the stop mechanism towards the opening of said main body brings said second piece of the object into contact with or close to the first piece of the object, with any recoil of the stop mechanism being prevented.
 20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising filling a chamber of the main body in which at least a portion of said object is housed with fluid or liquid.
 21. The method according to claim 17, further comprising sealing the opening of the main body.
 22. The method according to claim 17, further comprising closing the lid before or after moving the stop mechanism.
 23. A method for releasing an object held in a device according to claim 1, said method comprising the following steps: moving the lid to the open position; and extracting at least a first portion of an object through the opening in the main body using a tool that cooperates with said at least first portion of the object.
 24. A method according to claim 23, further comprising the following steps: pressing the stop mechanism towards the opening in the main body to bring another portion of the object close to the opening in the main body; and extracting at least a second portion of the object through the opening in the main body using a tool that cooperates with said second portion of the object.
 25. A method for releasing an object held in a device according to claim 1, said method comprising the following steps: moving the lid to the open position; pressing the stop mechanism to push a portion of the object through the opening in the main body; extracting said portion of the object that is protruding from the opening of the main body; and extracting another portion of the object through the opening in the main body using a tool that cooperates with said other portion of the object.
 26. A device for holding and releasing a medical or dental implant that provides for aseptic removal of the implant, said device comprising: a main body with a housing for at least partially accommodating an implant; an opening that allows at least a portion of said implant to be extracted from the main body; a lid attached to the main body that can be moved from a closed position preventing access to said opening and an open position providing access to said opening; and a stop mechanism designed such that the stop mechanism can be moved to different positions relative to the main body towards the opening of said main body, but blocked in the other direction, to enable the stop mechanism to be brought into contact with or close to the implant while preventing any recoil of the stop mechanism. 